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2004 Dodge Dakota

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Dodge Dakota do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 166.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

168 reports with mileage · 38 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports6 fire reports6 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

4 reports
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95 miles · Aug 21, 2007
Fuel System, GasolineStructureSuspension

WHEN BRAKING FOR A STOP, WITH THE GAS TANK BETWEEN HALF AND FULL, THERE IS A LOUD "THUMPING" NOISE A FEW SECONDS AFTER BEGIN STOPPED. THE ORIGINAL GAS TANK HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE NOISE STILL EXISTS. PER THE DEALER, 2005 AND LATER MODELS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED. WHY CAN THIS NOT BE CORRECTED ON THE 2004 MODELS? *TR T…

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WHEN BRAKING FOR A STOP, WITH THE GAS TANK BETWEEN HALF AND FULL, THERE IS A LOUD "THUMPING" NOISE A FEW SECONDS AFTER BEGIN STOPPED. THE ORIGINAL GAS TANK HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT THE NOISE STILL EXISTS. PER THE DEALER, 2005 AND LATER MODELS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED. WHY CAN THIS NOT BE CORRECTED ON THE 2004 MODELS? *TR THE CONSUMER STATED IT IS TO HIS UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK ON 2004 DODGE DAKOTA'S. THE CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING WHY THE LATER MODELS WERE CORRECTED AND NOT THE MODEL HE POSSESS WHICH HAS THE SAME DEFECT? THE DEALER STATED KNOCKING NOISE ON FLOOR THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A LIFT AND THE AXLE NUTS WERE RE-TORQUED. WATER LEAKED OVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND THE HOLE WAS SEALED. THE DEALER STATED CLICKING NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR WHEN COMING TO A STOP. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR UPDATED 09/06/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10200246

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

I AM LOOKING FOR ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO SPEAK TO MY ATTORNEY ABOUT PROBLEMS THEY ARE HAVING WITH THEIR 04 DAKOTA'S. I HAVE HAD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END, WHIRLING NOISE AT IDLING GETS LOUDER WHEN BLINKER ON, WINDOWS MAKE CLUNKING NOISE WHILE ROLLING UP OR DOWN, SEVER E SHAKING WHILE BRAKING ( WARPED ROTORS), T…

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I AM LOOKING FOR ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO SPEAK TO MY ATTORNEY ABOUT PROBLEMS THEY ARE HAVING WITH THEIR 04 DAKOTA'S. I HAVE HAD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END, WHIRLING NOISE AT IDLING GETS LOUDER WHEN BLINKER ON, WINDOWS MAKE CLUNKING NOISE WHILE ROLLING UP OR DOWN, SEVER E SHAKING WHILE BRAKING ( WARPED ROTORS), TRANSMISSION LEAKING, AND THE LIST GOES ON. I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF LEMON LAW AND IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO BE ABLE TO FIND AN ATTORNEY. THIS ONE IS EXCELLENT.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10144718

3,521 miles · Nov 3, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN VEHICLE HAS 3/4 TANK OF GAS. WHEN SLOWING DOWN THERE IS A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. *BF WHEN BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP A DELAY THEN A THUMP SOUND COMES FROM THE BACK WALL OF THE TRUCK. 1ST GAS TANK STARTED THIS OVER HALF OF A TANK. TANK WAS REPLACED AND NOW YOU HEAR THE THUMP WHEN THE TANK …

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WHEN VEHICLE HAS 3/4 TANK OF GAS. WHEN SLOWING DOWN THERE IS A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. *BF WHEN BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP A DELAY THEN A THUMP SOUND COMES FROM THE BACK WALL OF THE TRUCK. 1ST GAS TANK STARTED THIS OVER HALF OF A TANK. TANK WAS REPLACED AND NOW YOU HEAR THE THUMP WHEN THE TANK IS AT 3/4 FULL. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10099359

1,500 miles · Mar 22, 2004
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

LOUD THUNKING NOISE COMES FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. REP FROM CHRYSLER STATED THIS WAS COMING FROM THE GAS TANK . THERE IS A VIBRATION BETWEEN 30-45 MPH COMING FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN. REP STATED THIS WAS "NORMAL".THERE IS ALSO A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. REP ALSO STATES THIS IS NORMAL.BEARI…

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LOUD THUNKING NOISE COMES FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. REP FROM CHRYSLER STATED THIS WAS COMING FROM THE GAS TANK . THERE IS A VIBRATION BETWEEN 30-45 MPH COMING FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN. REP STATED THIS WAS "NORMAL".THERE IS ALSO A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. REP ALSO STATES THIS IS NORMAL.BEARING NOSIE IS COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP. MY 2004 DODGE DAKOTA SXT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES AND THE DEALER STILL CANNOT FIX. THE REP FROM CHRYSLER STATED THIS IS THE "BEST" TRUCK DODGE HAS EVER BUILT. I'D HATE TO SEE THE WORST! SO FAR THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE AC CONDENSER, COMPLETE RACK & PINION STEERING SYSTEM, COMPLETE DRIVE SHAFT, REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING, REAR SWAYBAR LINKS, THE BRAKES SHUDDER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP , LEFT FRONT BRAKE SQUEAL, FRONT END NEEDED ALIGNING AFTER RACK & PINION STEERING REPLACEMENT . TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM TAIL SHAFT SEAL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10063654

Official recalls

1

04V216000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

May 5, 2004

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.